The Commons Social Change Library

Welcome to the Commons Social Change Library

Do you want to change the world for the better? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re new to advocacy or an experienced campaigner you’ll find helpful resources here. All materials are free, digital, and directly available.

The Commons Library includes 1000+ educational resources in a range of formats. Topics include campaign strategy, community organising, working effectively in groups, justice and diversity, creative activism, and much more.

Visit the Browse page for an overview of topics, formats and collections. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the newest tools for social change. Learn about our Projects and read what our users have to say.

The Commons is celebrating 5 years of making activism smarter and stronger. Hear from library users around the world and find out more about what has been achieved.

Browse Library Topics

Bookshelf holding books about campaign strategy, tactics, lobbying, etc.

What would you like to do?

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Listen

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Watch

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Read

Recommended by the Commons Librarians

Photo of people at an anti-racist rally in the UK. A person at the front of the photo holds a large placard 'Love Beats Hate. One Race = Human Race'

Responding to the Racist UK Riots

Horrific Islamophobic and racist violence has broken out across England. Tips and links for people responding to racist hate in the UK, August 2024.
Report cover - Title reads 'A Community Guide for Opposing Hate'. close up of people in a group holding hands. The people are of different ethnicities.

A Community Guide for Opposing Hate

The manual provides step by step actions for those who want to do something about hate, not only for the immediate aftermath of a hateful act, but for years to come to improve their community.
loud speaker icon with the words coming out that read What's New

What's New in the Commons Library

See what's new in the Commons Social Change Library - making activism smarter and stronger.
A group of people in front of a big yellow circle holding a red flag, a poster and a loudspeaker.

New to Activism, Organising and Campaigning? Start Here!

A collection of resources by The Commons Social Change Library to help you learn all about activism, organising and campaigning.
Text reads 'Watch Inspiring Activist and Protest Speeches'. There are two loudhailers in bottom corners with yellow zig zag lines coming out of the speakers.

Watch Inspiring Activist and Protest Speeches

Watch Inspiring Activist and Protest Speeches by Harvey Milk, Nelson Mandela, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Emma Gonzalez and more.
Hand drawn sign on a wooden post on the lawn where there is a protest camp. On the sign it reads 'Onboarding Join Us!'

Movement Power: The Science of Nonviolent Direct Action

Step-by-step guide for activists about the movement power approach to building mass participation in campaigns for widespread social change.
Title reads 'Mental Health in the Palestine Solidarity Movement: Supporting Each Other'. Image is a photograph of people at a rally with Palestinian flags, a watermelon placard, and people wearing keffiyeh scarves.

Mental Health in the Palestine Solidarity Movement: Supporting Each Other

Mental health in the Palestine solidarity movement amidst a genocide: Fostering persistence and supporting each other through stress, burnout and trauma.